Product Details

• Actors: Liev Schreiber, Babe Ruth, Jean Shepherd
• Writers: Steven Stern
• Producers: George Roy, Rick Bernstein, Ross Greenburg, Steven Stern
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Hbo Home Video
• VHS Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783114419
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,778 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Before Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs, before Roger Maris swatted 61, before Micky Mantle even touched a bat, and before Jackie Robinson played his first game, there was George Herman Ruth. The "Babe" was more than the best player ever to play baseball: he was a mythical American hero, larger than life and the sport that made his name known around the world. He was the most talented sportsman in an era when baseball was the national pastime. The story behind the emergence of Babe Ruth in the 1920s was one even the most talented minds in Hollywood couldn't have drummed up. As one humble teammate of Ruth's recalls in this excellent documentary, "If Babe Ruth had not existed, it would have been impossible to invent him." Babe Ruth: The Life Behind the Legend tells the story of the actual man--from his benevolent acts of charity to his mass consumption (of food and women). Exploring the difference between reality and myth, this touching, subtle biography goes beyond rational explanations into a metaphysical realm that defines the actions and popularity of this man as something not entirely comprehensible. You won't care whether he really did "call" that shot in the 1932 World Series or if he went straight from an all-night bender to go 3 for 4 against Chicago; it won't matter, because the reality eventually dilutes the myth. The facts speak for themselves: he won 90 games as a pitcher, had a lifetime average of .340, smashed his way to 714 home runs (often recording more homers in one season than entire teams). Ruth was greatness personified, "and to just be with him in a stadium, was like having some of that magic rub off on you." This is a splendid tribute to an important American icon who defined a game as well as an era. A must for any sports or history buff. --Jeremy Storey

Product Description

Considered by many to be the greatest baseball player who ever lived he was a legend in his own time and for all time. This is the extraordinary life of the man who changed the face of baseball.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BABE RUTH DOCUMENTARY I'VE SEEN, June 15, 2005

By 

David L. Grundvig "frontiercybrarian" (Magna, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Babe Ruth - The Life Behind the Legend [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Unique, never before seen clips and stories. Very balanced and skilled in representing Ruth with his strengths and weaknesses. This vhs represents his life from reform school to death.

Indicates how he influenced America during the hard times and changed baseball forever. Despite Ruth's rough life style his talents and popularity are unprecedented and unquestioned. This was the age before good equipment (bats, gloves, etc), and strength enhancing drugs.

Very good narration and dialogue on this vhs. Highly recommend it for baseball and history fans alike. There will never be another Ruth and he's the proof and that's the truth. Look how his totality of records have stood the test of time and are the measure to which others are compared.

This is my favorite baseball documentary for the subject matter, quality, balance, nostalgia, historical setting, etc.

An hour well spent.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You won't be dissapointed, January 27, 2002

By 

Patrick M. Rood (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Babe Ruth - The Life Behind the Legend [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is quite frankly the finest documentary on the life and times of Babe Ruth that I've seen. I was mesmorized from start to finish; an absolute gem and a must for any Babe Ruth fan.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars !*****!, October 5, 2003

By 

desertrose1294 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Babe Ruth - The Life Behind the Legend (DVD)

For those of us who who grew up and still feel the Babe as mythical, this is great DVD coverage of the player who proved unbelievable as a human being. Coverages of games and warm ups attempt to bring the seriousness of the organized game since it was still a time when baseball was fun and fantasy. Yet the babe made it look so easy. With players still alive who played with him, a perfectly biographed story from beginning to end and garunteed to watch more than twice.